In the Heights is a musical set in the neighborhood next to the George Washington Bridge. Usnavi, a local, opens his bodega and begins to do business. He warmly greets everyone in the neighborhood. Everyone is friendly and well acquainted. They are one family. Abuela Claudia welcomes Nina Rosario, who is home from college. It is soon revealed that Nina dropped out of Stanford because she couldn’t afford living there without taking up several jobs at the same time.

The Rosario family, which owns the local Car Service store, struggles to find a way to send Nina back to school. In the end, Nina’s father sells the store to pay for her tuition. The local salon also closes to relocate to another neighborhood. Lastly, Abuela Claudia passes away. Usnavi realizes that the Heights is the home to his roots. He decides to stay even as all the other shops close.